Ashington Cougars v Dorkinians

Ashington Cougars v Dorkinians

Ashington Cougars v Dorkinians
Buoyant from a solid performance first game of the season Cougars were keen for kick-off and their eagerness was rewarded when after 29 seconds Harry Hepburn won the ball in midfield and forced it through the Dorkinians defence finding William Farnes who kept a cool head when one-on-one with the keeper and opened the scoring.
However, it was Dorkinains who then started to look the stronger side and after 20 minutes they combined well outside the Cougars area and scored a well deserved equalising goal.
The game aswell as the scores were then evenly balanced, Connor Lord making two excellent saves and using his area well to prevent Dorkinians troubling the scorer further, at the other end Thomas Fitzpatrick worked himself a chance which whistled past the post, and William Farnes heading from a corner, the ball seemingly crossing the line, however without the luxury of goal-line technology in the HDYFL U14 ‘s section the goal could not be awarded!
Just as it looked as if the teams would end the half level Harry Hepburn received the ball just beyond the back post and some nimble footwork left two Dorkinian defenders perplexed giving Harry the yard* of space he needed to drive the ball home to give Cougars a much needed 2 – 1 lead. (that’s 0.9144 meters for the boys benefit!)
The late goal and the half time break seemed to change the dynamics of the game and second half Cougars started to dominate, Sam Boyd - the often unsung hero of the team pestering the Dorkians midfield into mistakes at every opportunity. As the pressure built Cougars earned themselves a corner which was once again met by William Farnes who headed powerfully and the ball nestled into the Dorkinians goal, on this occasion leaving no doubt as to whether the ball had crossed the line. It was William Farnes who extended the lead further showing power, pace and a cool head when scoring two quick-fire goals to extend the lead to 5 – 1.
Injury and substitutions in Cougars defence meant changes and Alex Macpherson was asked to shuffle along to centre defence and them right back, however Alex is playing better than ever this season and met each challenge equally well, one parent describing his composure on the ball as majestic – I agree.
Only a moment of brilliance broke the Cougars back line as Dorkinians number 7, who had been a danger throughout the game hit a shot from distance leaving Connor Lord no chance and the ball hit the inside of the cross-bar and then into the Cougars goal.
With the score at 5 – 2 and only a few minutes remaining the game seemed to be over, but William Farnes had not yet finished, two further goals one when stretching well from a Jamie Gallagher cross and another when he yet again he found himself one-on-one against the keeper took his tally for the game to an impressive 6 goals.
The game finished 7 – 2 to Cougars